Comment from Sanku

Excellent

What a wonderful idea -to have teenagers go and spend time with elderly. I liked the way Andrew took you to the funeral ,He wanted your company ! I enjoyed reading this.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

I just love that you started this program in your church, and that Andrew has continued to do good in his community. We grow our children as we would flowers in a garden, to become things of beauty to behold.

Thanks for sharing, Barbara.

xo

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

That program you set up for a youngster to be pairs with an elderly person is good for both of them as they learned from each other and it is unfortunate that Alex did, and death can sometimes hit us hard when it is someone we know. I enjoyed reading about your life here Barbara, a fine post, thank you for sharing this with us, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.

Comment from Michael Ludwinder

Excellent

The way you showed his initial hesitation and then his quiet realization at the funeral home was so well done. I love how Andrew carried that lesson forward into his adult life by helping others now. Your honesty about the challenges of being a stay at home mom while Greg was so real. This was a beautiful chapter. Keep it up!

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

It's good for both generations to get together and learn to converse and share experiences. I am glad Andrew has a compassionate heart, and is helping vulnerable refugees. A lovely story to share. Thank you.
Wendy

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

This is an interesting story as going to funerals is part of my and my husband's lives because of our age, but we still have thirtyish grandchildren and their children. We encourage them to go but never make them go. It is difficult as you learned from your son, but he knew he had made the right choice in the end. One line needs fix: I got (to) set my own . . .

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding. I have a really bad habit of leaving out those small words and when I edit, I read it as though those words are there. I appreciate the help.

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

I do agree with your statement that children will most times make the tight decision. One side note to that would be that the child cc ones from a stable, open family environment.

Thanks for posting.
John

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Bless Andrew and Katie for doing this wonderful work in helping Afghan families get adjusted to becoming Americans. What a blessing!
And what a great idea to pair up youth with elderly. I wish every youth group would do this. There is so much to be gained to learn across generations!

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding. I tried to partnership by first graders with a nursing home here in Texas, but the nursing home said no.

reply by lyenochka on 06-Mar-2025

First graders may be too young, I guess. But the middle and high schoolers would definitely benefit!

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

What a lovely little story, Barbara, with a message that children can be trusted to make their own decisions when it comes to subjects like this. Andrew is clearly a very kind person whose first instinct was, possibly, one of fear that he might cry or let himself down in some way Thank you for sharing this feel-good chapter which I enjoyed. Take care Debbie
assimilate (understand) the St Louis area (no preposition after the verb) or acclimatise to.

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

I am very sure that that experience that Andrew had with Alex was an important one in his life and it is leaving an impression on him even as he lives his life today. Thanks for sharing this with us. Patricia.

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2025

---

reply by the author on 06-Mar-2025

Thank you for the understanding.